Structures Maintenance Plan
2. Objectives
2.1 Whilst the Highways Act 1980 does not define the levels at which highway assets should be maintained, the Code of Practice promotes the adoption of an integrated asset management approach to highway infrastructure based on the establishment of local levels of service through risk based assessment. With levels of service and delivery arrangements being established with due regard to the core objectives of:
- Network Safety
- Customer Service
- Network Serviceability
- Network Sustainability
2.2. The levels of service based on the core objectives can be summarised as follows:
Attribute | Standard | Performance measure |
|---|---|---|
Safety | Ensure the structure is safe and fit for purpose | Percentage of highway safety inspections completed on time |
Customer service (availability) | Ensure structure is available for normal daily use by providing adequate load carrying capacity, width and headroom | Customer satisfaction measured biennially through the National Highways and Transportation Survey |
Serviceability | Maintain appropriate appearance through routine and preventative maintenance regimes (including removal of offensive graffiti) | None |
Sustainability | Maintain condition of the structures stock at a level consistent with achieving minimum whole life cost | Bridge Condition Indicators (BCIcrit) monitored on an annual basis |
2.3 The outcomes of the performance measures detailed above are updated in the Highway Network Management and Services webpages.
2.4 The main types of maintenance for highway structures are as follows:
Type of Maintenance | Description |
|---|---|
Reactive | Responding to inspections, complaints or emergencies. |
Routine | Inspections, assessment and works that are carried out to a regular schedule which can help maintain the condition and functionality of the structure and may reduce the need for other, normally more expensive maintenance works. Examples of routine maintenance include vegetation clearance and drainage cleaning. |
Programmed | Flexibly planned schemes primarily of:
|
2.5 The foundations of the authorities structures maintenance plan are:
- inventory
- hierarchy
- inspections
- maintenance regimes
- risk management
- resilience
2.6 These are explained further throughout the plan.
